Hunter Gatherer 21C

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:04:30 +0100

TL;DR 3: Presenting

Presenting is not PowerPoint. A good presentation might use it, but it is never made of it.

I have always been a presenter: I started in the classroom as a secondary school chemistry teacher. No child wants PowerPoint decks; they seek enthusiasm, clarity of explanation and relevant stories to reinforce. A decade later, my audiences at Microsoft, Google and corporations around the world were no different.

PowerPoint tempts you to let one deck do three different jobs: notes (for you), visuals (for them) and takeaways (for them). But putting your notes on a slide is crazy: the audience reads ahead of you, faster than you can speak. The smart ones will ask, why are we all in this room or on this call? This could have been sent in an email or delivered by an AI!

Plus, PowerPoint doesn’t do energy. And it will not ask for the decision at the end.

Losing PowerPoint liberates you. I have never used PowerPoint in training or consulting. My audiences love that, and, importantly, it allows me to be me. PowerPoint, if not used with care, removes the soul of your presentation.

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:01:54 +0100

The Joy of Analogue

now available.

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 16:00:06 +0100

Attention

is life.

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:30:58 +0100

When AI comes

for the purpose in your life.

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:28:30 +0100

A Record Player

is more than just music.

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 07:46:36 +0100

TL;DR 2 Negotiation.

Do not confuse selling and negotiating.

The former is winning the sale in principle; the latter is deciding on what terms.

There comes a point where you should be able to ask: ‘Are we there in principle?’ If they say yes, now you can start talking price and other details.

Do not give unless you get. ‘If you are looking for an extra 5%, we would be looking for a guarantee of next year’s business.’

Keep calculating your margins: imagine your cost is 50 and your usual price 100. Give 25% off, and the price becomes 75, but your margin has fallen from 50 to 25. You have given away 50% (not 25%) of your profit.

Give small. Decide your limit, then start well below it. Give slowly. Take weeks if necessary. Slow builds value. Give odd. Offer 3.75, not 5. An odd number looks calculated. A round one suggests a number plucked from the air. Go back to zero each new contract. Last year’s discount is not this year’s starting point.

Summarise and agree what you have settled before leaving the meeting or call. If you are in the same room, a shared whiteboard (which you later photograph) is superb.

It is one thing to win business; it is another to win that which is profitable.

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:23:24 +0100

TL;DR 1: Selling

Do not sell on price.

If price is the only difference the buyer can understand, they will push for a discount, and you lose margin, the lifeblood of your business.

Sell value. Convince the client that you offer unique, measurable value that they need, and they will be willing to buy from you at the price you offer.

And so, before you pitch, ask questions to discover what they value.

Uniqueness means showing something that only you or your firm can offer. Perhaps you are the only supplier who will keep stock on site for them. Measurable is quantitative rather than qualitative; do not just say ‘we have excellent service'; say that 98% of calls are answered at once and 95% of emails within the hour.

For over a decade, I ran a simple workshop: Brilliant at the Basics of Selling. The first morning was head-spinning for 90% of the audience as they realised their everyday practices (the template pitch, the aggressive discounting, the formulaic conversations) were hindering long-term profitable relationships.

Price is what they pay; value is why they pay it.

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:16:55 +0100

Evening

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:16:36 +0100

Morning

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:14:52 +0200

A Michael Wade

classic. HT, Kurt.

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:55:04 +0200

The Tools of Excellence

Instant, to-the-point, worldwide.

And free for 48h, amazon kindle.

(You simple need the kindle app).

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:53:40 +0200

For fans of Paul Simon

his 2025 Seattle concert is now out: Paul Simon, The Quiet Celebration Concert.

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:49:27 +0200

Powerful Thoughts

for the weekend with Jeroen.

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:47:25 +0200

Some of the

best stories are over with Kurt.

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 11:17:58 +0200

The Tools of Excellence

Instant, to-the-point, worldwide.

And free for 72h, amazon kindle.

(You simple need the kindle app).

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:12:31 +0200

Go on!

Release your inner Wild!

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:11:04 +0200

AI THINKS SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO.

Frequent use may impair memory, judgement and the ability to finish your own sentences. Talk to a human today.

It may reduce independent reasoning in children and adolescents. Keep out of the reach of homework. Do not use together with deadlines; may release dangerous levels of overconfidence. If unable to think unaided, consult a book.

Be aware that AI is often: HIGH IN FLUENCY. LOW IN CERTAINTY. MAY CONTAIN FABRICATED SOURCES.

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:11:48 +0200

Daily MEDS

The Powerful daily health strategy.

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:10:47 +0200

Rubber Soul

Released in December 1965, Rubber Soul marked the moment the Beatles stopped being simply a brilliant pop group and became album artists. Recorded in barely a month at EMI’s London studios, it traded Beatlemania’s screaming energy for introspection, irony and textures: George’s sitar on “Norwegian Wood”, the sped-up piano masquerading as harpsichord on “In My Life”, the folk-rock jangle of “If I Needed Someone”. Lennon’s lyrics turned inward; McCartney’s “Michelle” flirted with French chanson.

The album inspired Brian Wilson to make Pet Sounds and, in turn, pushed the Beatles towards Revolver. Its warmth and restraint still feel remarkably modern.

An expanded Special Edition arrived on 2 October 2026, newly mixed by Giles Martin and Sam Okell in stereo and Dolby Atmos, alongside the original mono mix, the Capitol US version and the “Day Tripper”/“We Can Work It Out” single.

Go Listen.

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 09:01:01 +0200

Jeroen is doing

some fantastic reflections on productivity. I’m hoping he might gather them into a book…..

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:27:40 +0200

Do Less yet Achieve More

Instant, budget, kindle, worldwide.

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:25:23 +0200

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:23:44 +0200

Just a reminder from a man who knows.

It is now corduroy season. Dress accordingly.

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:21:47 +0200

Advice to Authors

What ‘Pocket Guide’ should mean.

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:17:33 +0200

Go on.

Go Wild.